Anambra Prisons , Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha and Ekwulobia rot as Indian hemp, women are smuggled in for inmates ; 5,000 inmates access only one doctor, one nurse and one pharmacist
www.odogwublog.com reports that the ugly situation in
Nigerian Prisons is no longer news as the prison house many innocent
victims who have been clamped into detention by ‘the high and mighty’
over the slightest disagreement. The awaiting trial inmates outnumber
the genuine jailed inmates.
The Anambra state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi had put in some efforts during his prison visits. The prison visit was more of interventionist and not to clear all the cases.
Justice Umeadi lamented a situation where those concerned with justice administration bring suspects to court unnecessarily without adequate information on them.
According to him, such practice put the suspects in the cell longer than necessary and Judges in dilemma because if they release the suspects they will incur the anger of the people. He wondered how a kidnap suspect would be put in cell for eight years by Police without being prosecuted.
Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Mrs. Doris Ezeani said the Chief Judge will use the opportunity to release prison inmates who have overstayed but have not been charged to court and those who have health problems, juveniles, the aged, nursing mothers and others with special considerations.
The Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of special duties and protocol at the state High Court, Mr. Eugene Agbasionwe summarized the observations of the officers of the temple of justice after this year’s goal delivery by Justice Umeadi thus: “The major problem we noticed at Aguata and Awka prisons is that records were sometimes obliterated, so it is sometimes difficult to present an inmate to the Chief Judge for consideration or send him to regular court. CJ said the essence of goal delivery is to make sure that people are not duly incarcerated in prison. One man discharged from Aguata prion for instance has no records and nothing is known for his stay there. This means that justice is denied him or miscarriage of justice has occurred”.
One major discovery by the chief judge was that many inmates, especially the Awaiting Trial Men, ATM, have no records that would enable lawyers and prison officials to prosecute the cases of the affected people in courts.
And all kinds of accusations and allegations have been put forward against the officials of the prison. They were accused of allowing heroine and Indian hemp into the prisons, they were equally accused of molesting and allowing all kinds of sexual pervasion. Even, recently one woman was caught smuggling Indian hemp to her son in the Amawbia prison. In the past a man of God was caught with same funny acts too. Much happen there.
But on Tuesday November 17th, 2015 which was like every other day. There was no inkling this reporter would be beaten or put under house arrest. He was busy cross examining why the Government of Governor Willie Obiano should interfere with NUJ elections in Anambra state and what they stood to gain.
But armed with documents accusing the Nigerian Prisons Services in Anambra state, this reporter had called the Comptroller of Prisons in the state , Mr Anthony Ubabuike earlier on the issue of dearth of medical personnel in the prison and he declined speaking via phone insisting it is issues to be discussed though without asking me over, but yours sincerely invited himself.
However, a drama played out before another drama in Ubabuike’s office. The documents and oral interviews I had accused the prison of extortion, starvation and all kinds of sexual abuse as well as diversion of food for inmates to personal use of prison officials including the comptroller as he received his shares.
These allegations were weighty and there is need for investigation. Yours sincerely confirmed the cankerworm at Onitsha prisons as a high powered inmate came out to see yours sincerely for hours and his experience was as shocking as his reasons for being held behind bars.
There was money exchanging hands at will and against will. This inmate (names withheld by us) confirmed that of women been brought in for inmates and molestation sexually of both sexes including homosexuals and lesbianism.
Only in Onitsha that we have female prisons but same allegations go for Ekwulobia and Nnewi and Awka prisons. Inmates working outside were desperate in their begging that one could be mobbed should you have money in your hand and you were not fast to release it. The Mango tree provides platform for negation and transactions between desperate police officers and prison officials. There could be swops of inmates?
Investigator turned culprit
At Awka prison, yours sincerely parked at Paul’s University, not even at plaza opposite the prison to avoid been encumbered as if he had promotion he would be detained though illegally and beaten too by overzealous officials who knew nothing to issue at stake but saw their boss yelling at a harmless reporter with his full regalia of identification dangling proudly on his breast pocket.
Was it they were unable to read that this man is a public servant even searching for a solution to make their own duty better as they are overworking, so to speak with a medical doctor, a nurse and a pharmacist attending to thousands of people. The case may be similar with other positions.
In other to be sure the allegations were not watery, I went round all the houses within the prison for forced drinking, eating and phone repair for any available information. I bought things I have no need for and that worked out as I gathered even more daring information about the prison services even that of Onitsha and elsewhere.
A young girl came to buy soup and overheard me saying these warders are so nice and mopped at me then said if you need information ask? Don’t just sit here and talk. These youths are languishing inside the prison and many did not do anything. Police parked them up and because they could not afford some bailing charges as demanded tagged them criminals or robbers and dump them here because the courts are strike.
‘’As you see me so, anytime I come here, I spent all I have to see my brother. Some of the good things brought for the inmates are shared by officials. So many of them are inhuman and so many good’’, and her soup of N200 was ready and she left still looking at me.
As a smart correspondent, I have gathered the name of the man at the gate, that worked like magic as a yell out of his name disarmed him. He inquired who I wanted to see. I said Welfare Officer or the Officer in Charge. He asked me to knock at the gate. I did and pushed. Somebody came, opened and seized me up. My mien was friendly and official with my DSS identification ID like dangling, unfortunately the back side, I noticed. Welcome, he said who do you wish to see, I repeated and I was directed to somebody they called gateman but not without adding,’’ please next time just knock and wait don’t push. I apologized and leant.
At the portal, the man repeated the question and directed me to the Welfare officer close by him but the welfare officer who appears to know me better than the Gateman took me back to the gateman and said please his questions are above me take him to Officer in Charge. I was asked to hang on by the gate man who went into the office of the Officer in Charge who happens to be an Assistant Comptroller of Prisons AC Ejenam, a good man and very friendly. He was in charge of Ekwulobia prisons when it started and I met him there more than once with the former first lady of Anambra state, Her Excellency , Margaret Peter Obi.
He wasted time and came back asking that the Secretary or whatever name he called her wanted to see me first as she wants to find out why I came before seeing the Officer in Charge. I went in thinking that was the new rule, having visited the prison severally without being subjected to such bunkum. The gate man left. As I was busy telling her my questions and she was busy writing with bad English , suggestive she was not getting all I was telling her, even spelt my good name wrongly.
I overheard a yell from inner cubicle on who I was and what on earth I was doing there overseeing the prison compound. I was ordered to leave the compound. I moved out in obedient before complaining and then returned to explain to the man myself. I was about to explain myself and the so called powerful woman could not even say a word and rather than explain to her boss the position, she started pushing me to leave as her Oga has asked me out. I insisted on seeing the Oga , so that if he yells again to me I will leave satisfying my conscience of fair hearing but the aides to the Oga mobilized and started beating me.
I was asking them to stop and listen to me first that the only ma n who has the right to ask me out now was their Oga as I have entered but my plea was pouring water on stone. They pushed me out and never allowed me. I resigned to fate but tried to collect my phone and more venom were poured on me as if I committed any offence. And somebody queried me if it was at police station I will still stay to explain myself when Commissioner or his Deputies or Assistants asked me out? They threatened to call police to arrest me. Suddenly, the something in a name got aroused and I decided to fight them if any of them touches me again even with their gun since I told our newspapers state office Admin and others I was headed for the prison in case anything funny happens. I challenged them to touch me again and insisted I won’t go again until I was arrested. And had any touched me, he would have been in the hospital bed before I was then taken too to the same hospital. All my hairs were at erect and my eyes flapping like a breast of an enraged dog. Nobody came near again but stood at a distance indirectly seeking peace, by blaming me for still insisting to see Oga as he has asked me out.
Suddenly one woman appeared, (name withheld by us) the salute she received showed she was of high ranking and her statements later proved she knows her mettle. She first gave me a greeting melting my stance to knock down whoever comes first and smiled at me like a mother, then went for my Identification, touched it, read it and asked me to calm down. She went in and shortly I was asked to come in by the same reckless secretary or so I thought, I refused and insisted anybody who wants to see me must come outside there. The prison officials still wondering what next to do with this ‘recalcitrant’ person as I was convinced almost all of them could not say who I was. They shouted , Officer in charge is calling you, I smiled and spoke in my mind come and lift me here now. Meanwhile I was busy peeping at the inmates who came back with loads of firewood and others looking malnourished, haggard and wretched.
Then I heard my name and I turned saw a beckoning and went in that direction, face to face with the Officer in Charge, he apologized for his officers unruly behaviour and accepted responsibility for their actions. That was too much for me and I accepted his apology and forgave him and his officials. He does not know who I was but overheard his secretary reply to my question and that picked his imagination on what my mission was in asking such questions. He branded me enemy of the prison. He was right because minus he was eavesdropping he wouldn’t know what I came for and what transpired assuming I was discharged at that point. I came to see the officer in charge not secretary or whatever she is called. And I should be allowed to see him, who may now direct me to the state comptroller, if he is not competent to speak.
He was truly sorry for the situation unlike police that would play the Ostrich and stood his men against the reality of facts. He offered me Malt and we resolved and even understood his grievances. He taught somebody is out to malign the good work he is doing at Awka prison to the extent of getting some inmates graduate in Open University because its center exists in Awka prison among other feats. The Awka prison have inmates who are artisans with different skills leant in the prison as entrepreneurs visit to teach them trade and education as well as their religious needs. He reacted because he works in a security area. I told him that had it been I was allowed to see him and he quietly declined press statement and directs me to his superior it would have been wonderful and nobody would know why I came, he understood that.
That seals it but, I am recounting it to avoid future occurrence and based on the most humiliating experience in my 15 years working experience by any high ranking official who is the Comptroller of Prisons in Anambra state , Mr Anthony Ubabuike, I can take it from recruits and low ranking officials not from a Chief Executive Officer or his representative.
At Comptroller’s Office
His face was pale with anger on what this ‘’small boy’’ wanted. He returned my greeting in a hidden tone struggling not to betray his emotions. Mr Anthony Ubabuike was graceful in appearance but was not happy with questions I was coming to his office with forgetting he first gave opportunity to be visited by virtue of his position. He sat like a British crowned warrant chief in poise intimidating enough to put this correspondent off beat and swallow his mission but having seen the bad, the good and the ugly, I fired my question but not first watering the ground on my encounter at his prison yard and why I held my ‘Malt’ kola just like that abandoning even my car and joined public transport.
His showed some betrayed consolation, informing this correspondent that Nigerian Prisons are not known for that but I informed him I have forgiven them and the officer in charge has warned them and apologized on their behalf which is okay by me as I am serving humanity.
Back to my questions on why he was not doing anything about smuggling in of Indian hemp and other drugs to inmates, the smuggling in of ladies and issues of bribery and corruption by officials in the way of high extortion and the betrayed calm and poised stance gave way to his true identity.
Ubabuike reminded this correspondent that he can sue and the Prisons officials can sue if anything is written and that he is not in the liberty to answer any of my questions. He insisted they have a national PRO at Abuja describing where their office is located and that I should go there for whatever interview or questions I had wanted. He said there is equally the Comptroller General of Prisons and the Chairman of Board chaired by the Minister for my questions but I should leave his office as I had no appointment and no letter inviting me for the chat.
He queried to know how I got his number and who was feeding me with the allegations but later changed his mind when I informed him that his number is a public thing when he accepted to be comptroller in Anambra state and I have no liberty to start telling him who gave me what information and where. He should calm down and look dispassionately on the issues I raised to know what he has been able to do and ones that were not true but he kept on reminding me for 11 times that he was courtesy enough to allow me in and to even listen to me nonsense.
‘’Please go and write a letter of request for interview and send to the Headquarters because you are not interviewing me. We don’t react to allegations but we speak on facts. I do you know all these.....because be read to answer us in court, it is actionable you know. All these allegations are not obtainable in prisons I superintend. We don’t have anything of such.........’’, by the time he was saying these words he has lost the initial queen’s English posture he was having when this correspondent entered and next I heard was ‘’sorry I am not granting you an interview ‘’and he moved away from where he kept me to his Chief Executive’s seat, ignoring my presence and as a correct ‘Nwafor’ I thanked him and went away before another mass beating will start. But I would have asked him another question then to see more of his real character than the pretence I witnessed. I was surprised his ordeal or whatever he was, as he took me from down stairs to his office up, was sitting with us and interfering in an interview I wanted to have by asking whether I was interviewing already without previous appointment for the interview. The Comptroller allowed him and even amplified that. What a comptroller? The worse could have happened to me with the armed men around him was he not in the know of my already battered situation.
Allegations and stand by Human Right Group
For an Onitsha based Human Rights Lawyer, Barr Jezie Ekejiuba and President, Voters Rights International, he decried the treatment given to prison inmates and relatives in Anambra state.
Ekejiuba said: ‘’Section 36 of the Nigerian constitution says every person is presumed innocent until proved otherwise but many inmates of Nigerian Prison here in Anambra state have been languishing in prison jail without trail and majority of them without any criminal charge existing anywhere. All these inmates are branded awaiting trial inmates and criminal suspects and detained under cruel conditions in the congested and unhygienic prison yard. This is a clear violation of their fundamental rights to fair hearing, personal liberty and dignity of human person under Chapter IV of the Nigerian constitution.
‘’ Another area of violation of the human rights of the inmates in Anambra state is denial of their rights to life. This comes in the form of lack of medical care , starvation as a result of lack of food which most times result in their man- made deaths. They are also denied of voting rights. The rights to privacy of many female inmates are trampled upon because many have been sexually assaulted and raped by prison officers who manipulate the women in the prison custody . The prison officers most times promise the female inmates freedom.
‘’I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to bring change and redress these acts of violations.
‘’Based on the scope of fundamental rights in Chapter IV of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and anything outside that are not fundamental Human Rights like those issues of extortion and smuggling of Indian hemp.
But, the Campaign for Democracy in South East zone was more specific by calling on the Comptroller of Prisons to redeploy the comptroller in Anambra state, Mr Anthony Ubabuike for encouraging corruption and all kinds of illegality in prisons in Anambra state especially Onitsha prisons where public extortion by prison officials have been legalized.
Leadership of CD in South East led by Comrade Uzor Dede Uzor in a statement to The Authority accused Ubabuike of incapable of holding the esteemed office as his aloof stance to his duties have not helped matters in Anambra prisons.
Uzor said Ubabuike is supposed to be in charge of prisons in Sokoto or Zamfara states where his non-committal attitude and hypocritical posture would be appreciated rather than in the South-East where he should be at his best to attend to the demands his kiths and kins on prison conditions. They decried a situation he would always refer members of the public especially non-governmental organizations, Civil Society Groups, Human Rights groups and journalists to Abuja headquarters of Nigerian prisons for verifications, complaints and confirmations of situations when he is in charge of Anambra state.
CD Boss in South East wondered why his colleagues in NDLEA, DSS, Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army as well as NSCDC among others should be begging journalists and Human Rights to come in for clarifications and information but he behaves like a peacock for finding himself opportune to be in the exalted office in Igbo land.
CD wondered if a journalist in Anambra or Human Rights and Civil Society Groups in Anambra could not verify allegations against the Prisons in Anambra from his office but Abuja what else is he doing in Anambra state as head of the federal government outfit. CD pointed out that the Anambra prison comptroller should even be able to decentralize authority for his men in charge of the prisons at Onitsha, Ekwulobia and Awka as well as Nnewi to speak in defense of the Federal Government establishment rather than allow rumours and speculations to grow rife.
Part of the statement read: ‘’The Comptroller of Prison in Anambra state has no duties again to perform since he encourages extortion, starvation of prison inmates, smuggling in of Indian Hemps and marijuana, smuggling of women for high ranking inmates sexual satisfaction, sexual harassment and abuse including rape, official bribery and corruption and packing home food meant for inmates.
‘’The officials in Anambra prisons starting from Awka to Onitsha , Ekwulobia and recently Nnewi are in that habit and these are verifiable anytime they go to the market to buy food stuff and when visitors bring commodities in bulk, they tend to share some of it and take them home whereas encouraging begging and even servitude for inmates.
‘’There is corruption in all the prison yards and the so called person in charge of prisons would be in Awka sitting idle in office all day, no surprise visits, no investigation and no proactive strategies even when such issues are brought to his office , he becomes more Catholic than the Pope in his attitude. Why would he be arrogant and pompous to answer questions about his office and even direct people to go to Abuja for confirmation of incidents happening here. Does it not occur to him that journalists and Civil Society groups are his friends and he should get information and solutions to some activities happening around his establishment from them. For clarifying such ugly reports could make the investigator alert the Head to act or to be spurred into action and serve the society better. His type may be arranging for the beating of journalists in his office because he acts with impunity based on our investigations. Since he came few months back he has not done anything to register his presence for his men to sit up but sits in Awka as the Lord of Mayor. His incompetence is robbing on the services of the Nigerian Prison in Anambra state and that should stop.
‘’Corruption is high and suspects are treated as convicts in the four prisons under Ubabuike. Prison is supposed to be rehabilitation center but it is now in Anambra a regrouping ground for criminals as the man at the Head of the Nigerian Prison is non-challant of his duties. I agree some things happened before his coming but it has worsened. There is a particular candidate (name withheld by us) and 2 others involved in killing of a Business man in Onitsha they were later arrested and went to prison but rather than got rehabilitated, they came out and started more kidnapping and armed robbery ...........
‘’The daily meal of the inmates has been increased from N100 to N200 which is an outright human rights violations because that is not enough even to feed a baby. What it means is that the person would look for alternative to his or her daily meal. In Nigeria inmates don’t have access to telephones and internet facilities but in South Africa we saw Okah answering calls and browsing the net. Here for you to do that you must bribe your way through. The inmates should have access to communicate.
On the ills in the Anambra state prions, CD states: ‘’Homosexuality and Lesbianism is high in the prisons in Anambra. It is rampant and aside that prison officials impregnate the female inmates and there is overcrowding as a prison room for 5 inmates now accommodate 80 people. This yields to spread of diseases and ill health of inmates yet no medical care because the entire prison in Anambra has one medical doctor, one nurse and one pharmacy.
‘’In prisons in Anambra state sexual violations happen because I know a lady who went to prison without a baby but came out with three babies. There is sexual molestation. CD has been told that women were brought in at the middle of night for privileged inmates to satisfy their sexual urge and we wonder why anybody should bring in girls for inmates and because no precaution is taken the person may be carrier and the inmate or the girl contaminates himself or herself depending. We have heard several cases of suspects brought to court and the case file disappears meaning his or her term is indefinite. Why would such be happening? We need a total revolution in Nigerian prisons not only Anambra state Prisons.
‘’We are calling for a high powered investigation into these allegations in Anambra state Prisons as they are weighty and should not be wished away. The outcome of the investigation should be implemented. The issue of congestion is overbearing as Onitsha, Awka, Ekwulobia even Nnewi of yesterday is overcrowded and congested. That has been worsened by the industrial action by judicial workers.
‘’We want the leadership of prisons in Anambra to be changed and sent to Zamfara or Sokoto even Borno so they would understand what it means for people to be serving their people. Most of them in charge are from Igbo land but have no courtesy and mannerism expected from people in such office. The Head of Nigerian Prisons in Anambra is rash and lacks requisite managerial acumen expected of a high ranking officer.
‘’He is at Awka and does not even know what happens at Awka prisons not to talk of Onitsha, Nnewi or Ekwulobia and when one brings that to his knowledge he becomes ‘’a peacock’ and brash, even at the point of walking out a seasoned journalist against all courtesies, demanding to know how he got his number and the information he is requesting clarifications for, yet he did not attend to him.
‘’People pay money daily to see their relatives who are inmates in all the prison in Anambra and I was forced to part with my money to see an inmate. If the comptroller at Awka knows his duties why should that be on and he stays aloof? Does it mean he has share? The extortion starts from the gate to the point you will discuss with the inmate. To see your relative, you must at least spend N1,000 and multiply N1000 a day by say at least 500 inmates across the state to be visited by their relatives by 31 days in a month and 366 days. That is to say N500,000 multiply by 31 days then you get the figure at the end of the year being extorted from relatives of inmates every year. This is minimum accrual.
‘’I suspect the Ubabuike man gets returns? An official of the prison told me point blank that they use such money they collect to repair their generator, so what it means is that such illegal extortions are legal in the prison under Ubabuike’s watch? They made it a law to pay? And it is not at only the gate but four points, you settle them at gate, then at counter where you drop your phone, at inner gate and before you discuss with your guest. At four points you pay including where you write your name under the Mango tree. Indian hemps are smuggled into the prison.
‘’CD and other 7 Human Rights Groups as well as traders are calling for a thorough investigation into the happenings at Anambra prisons because the inmates may molest you as I speak to collect money from you. Go there and see things for yourself.
Shortage of Health personnel hits Anambra Prisons
Health is life and healthy environment is for a better life. Prison environment is not always clean and healthy but following reforms ongoing things may soon be different even though over population is still a threat to Nigerian prisons sequel to awaiting trial inmates.
In Anambra state , there are four prisons. The first One is at Onitsha the commercial nerve center, the second one is at Awka, the state capital, the third one at Ekwulobia, emerging business center and the last at Nnewi the industrial zone known as Japan of Africa.
Skin infections and infestations are common in a prison environment because it is in dynamic equilibrium with the larger society and serves as a reservoir of infections which can spread to the larger society. Infectious disease rate is high in prison and may be adjudged to be Dermatophytes accounts for 64%, pityriasis versicolor 27%, bacterial infections 3.4%, and others 5.6% varying from one prison to the other.
This prevalence may be caused by the frequency of soap usage and accommodation arrangement.
The Authority on Saturday investigations revealed that the Nigerian Prison Onitsha is housing over 1,518 inmates as against its capacity for 326, though Governor Willie Obiano said: “The other day, I visited the Onitsha Prisons, out of 1,400 inmates, 720 persons were under awaiting trial. This is unacceptable to this government. We must do something to ensure that justice is done to everybody.”
Ekwulobia prison has 134 inmates, even when it was built to accommodate 85 inmates, plus the controversial 47 Boko Haram prisoners that were brought to Ekwulobia Prison in the dead of the night of Sunday, June 28, 2015 amidst tight security.
Nnewi prison as it were has 187 inmates but 84 have been granted bail recently making it now a total of 103 inmates. The prison is one of the 47 prisons conceived by the former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari administration in 1981 and has the capacity to harbour 160 inmates in modern facilities.
Awka prison has 413 inmates with only 43 convicts while others are awaiting trials.
The irony of the entire situation is that these over 1,800 inmates across Anambra state prisons, there is only one medical doctor attending to them.
He is Deputy Comptroller of Prison, DSP Dr Uzor who according to investigation out of pity uses one other medical doctor in his employ at his clinic Madonna Hospital Awka at no cost to attend to the inmates. He is the prison medical doctor and had no assistant whatsoever even corps member, and has nobody to take over from him as he is aging and probably on his retirement line up.
Again there are no supporting staff nurses as only one nurse ACP Obukwelu EN and one Pharmacist CSP Okeke Anthony are available. The nurse is getting old and no replacement or assistant from her complaints it is imperative she gets an assistant.
Now the inmates may be having it easy health wise because of rainy season aside cold and catarrh, but soon the dry season would set in and all kinds of health hazards would start to manifest especially skin diseases if not epidemics because most times their situation are not hygienic and may cause health hazard minor or major.
Efforts to get the Public Relations Officer Mr Ekemezie or the Comptroller of Prisons CP Anthony Ubaike was not successful though Ubaike was initially excited by the angle our reporter was coming from as it was never asked by other reporters but appealed to meet this reporter face to face in the office unfortunately his attitude during a face to face encounter was nothing to write home about.
However, the former Assistant Controller of Prisons at Nigerian Prisons Amawbia, Mr. Chris Akabueze, recently raised alarm over conditions of the prison when wife of Anambra state Governor, Chief Mrs Ebele Obiano visited.
He said:“You can’t believe that some have not eaten because they are waiting for your food. We are happy that you came and would use this opportunity to request your assistant with our needs, such as the repair of our water pumping machine, payment of fees for inmates due for junior WAEC exams’’.
At Onitsha Prison, the Assistant Controller of Prisons, Mr. Felix Ezengwo, expressed gratitude to Mrs. Obiano for the love showered on the inmates and urged her not to relent as God would continue to bless the first family.
The Assistant Controller of Prisons in-charge of Nnewi Prison, Mr Obizue N. Valins, said the total number of the inmates in the prison was 103, having in August 2014 received a total number of 187 inmates and was able to facilitate the bail and release of about 84 of them, which was “made possible through the assistance of good-spirited individuals, the church and groups’’.
Chief Judge of Anambra state, Justice Peter Umeadi, said the judiciary in the state had concluded arrangements to review High Court and Magistrate Court laws in the state for more effective justice dispensation.
He regretted the current industrial action of judiciary workers in the state, saying the strike was avoidable.
Obiano donated a bus for the staff and Black Maria for the movement of inmates to prisons and for medical attention.
During a recent visit by Mr Godwin Ezeemo to mark his 59th birthday anniversary with the inmates, a self-acclaimed General Provost of the inmates identified hunger and starvation as one of their major problems.
The inmates also listed lack of electricity supply, non-functional water bore-hole, lack of accommodation, and medical facilities as some of their problems, adding that some of them die for lack of proper care.
They regretted that most of the inmates were either jailed for an offence they did not know anything about or were thrown into prison because they had nobody or money to speak for them in minor counts. While thanking Ezeemo for choosing the prison yard as venue for his birthday, they added that people like him deserve to be at the helm of government.
Written by ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU, for Saturday Authority newspaper , others Tuesday November 17th , 2015.
The Anambra state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi had put in some efforts during his prison visits. The prison visit was more of interventionist and not to clear all the cases.
Justice Umeadi lamented a situation where those concerned with justice administration bring suspects to court unnecessarily without adequate information on them.
According to him, such practice put the suspects in the cell longer than necessary and Judges in dilemma because if they release the suspects they will incur the anger of the people. He wondered how a kidnap suspect would be put in cell for eight years by Police without being prosecuted.
Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Mrs. Doris Ezeani said the Chief Judge will use the opportunity to release prison inmates who have overstayed but have not been charged to court and those who have health problems, juveniles, the aged, nursing mothers and others with special considerations.
The Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of special duties and protocol at the state High Court, Mr. Eugene Agbasionwe summarized the observations of the officers of the temple of justice after this year’s goal delivery by Justice Umeadi thus: “The major problem we noticed at Aguata and Awka prisons is that records were sometimes obliterated, so it is sometimes difficult to present an inmate to the Chief Judge for consideration or send him to regular court. CJ said the essence of goal delivery is to make sure that people are not duly incarcerated in prison. One man discharged from Aguata prion for instance has no records and nothing is known for his stay there. This means that justice is denied him or miscarriage of justice has occurred”.
One major discovery by the chief judge was that many inmates, especially the Awaiting Trial Men, ATM, have no records that would enable lawyers and prison officials to prosecute the cases of the affected people in courts.
And all kinds of accusations and allegations have been put forward against the officials of the prison. They were accused of allowing heroine and Indian hemp into the prisons, they were equally accused of molesting and allowing all kinds of sexual pervasion. Even, recently one woman was caught smuggling Indian hemp to her son in the Amawbia prison. In the past a man of God was caught with same funny acts too. Much happen there.
But on Tuesday November 17th, 2015 which was like every other day. There was no inkling this reporter would be beaten or put under house arrest. He was busy cross examining why the Government of Governor Willie Obiano should interfere with NUJ elections in Anambra state and what they stood to gain.
But armed with documents accusing the Nigerian Prisons Services in Anambra state, this reporter had called the Comptroller of Prisons in the state , Mr Anthony Ubabuike earlier on the issue of dearth of medical personnel in the prison and he declined speaking via phone insisting it is issues to be discussed though without asking me over, but yours sincerely invited himself.
However, a drama played out before another drama in Ubabuike’s office. The documents and oral interviews I had accused the prison of extortion, starvation and all kinds of sexual abuse as well as diversion of food for inmates to personal use of prison officials including the comptroller as he received his shares.
These allegations were weighty and there is need for investigation. Yours sincerely confirmed the cankerworm at Onitsha prisons as a high powered inmate came out to see yours sincerely for hours and his experience was as shocking as his reasons for being held behind bars.
There was money exchanging hands at will and against will. This inmate (names withheld by us) confirmed that of women been brought in for inmates and molestation sexually of both sexes including homosexuals and lesbianism.
Only in Onitsha that we have female prisons but same allegations go for Ekwulobia and Nnewi and Awka prisons. Inmates working outside were desperate in their begging that one could be mobbed should you have money in your hand and you were not fast to release it. The Mango tree provides platform for negation and transactions between desperate police officers and prison officials. There could be swops of inmates?
Investigator turned culprit
At Awka prison, yours sincerely parked at Paul’s University, not even at plaza opposite the prison to avoid been encumbered as if he had promotion he would be detained though illegally and beaten too by overzealous officials who knew nothing to issue at stake but saw their boss yelling at a harmless reporter with his full regalia of identification dangling proudly on his breast pocket.
Was it they were unable to read that this man is a public servant even searching for a solution to make their own duty better as they are overworking, so to speak with a medical doctor, a nurse and a pharmacist attending to thousands of people. The case may be similar with other positions.
In other to be sure the allegations were not watery, I went round all the houses within the prison for forced drinking, eating and phone repair for any available information. I bought things I have no need for and that worked out as I gathered even more daring information about the prison services even that of Onitsha and elsewhere.
A young girl came to buy soup and overheard me saying these warders are so nice and mopped at me then said if you need information ask? Don’t just sit here and talk. These youths are languishing inside the prison and many did not do anything. Police parked them up and because they could not afford some bailing charges as demanded tagged them criminals or robbers and dump them here because the courts are strike.
‘’As you see me so, anytime I come here, I spent all I have to see my brother. Some of the good things brought for the inmates are shared by officials. So many of them are inhuman and so many good’’, and her soup of N200 was ready and she left still looking at me.
As a smart correspondent, I have gathered the name of the man at the gate, that worked like magic as a yell out of his name disarmed him. He inquired who I wanted to see. I said Welfare Officer or the Officer in Charge. He asked me to knock at the gate. I did and pushed. Somebody came, opened and seized me up. My mien was friendly and official with my DSS identification ID like dangling, unfortunately the back side, I noticed. Welcome, he said who do you wish to see, I repeated and I was directed to somebody they called gateman but not without adding,’’ please next time just knock and wait don’t push. I apologized and leant.
At the portal, the man repeated the question and directed me to the Welfare officer close by him but the welfare officer who appears to know me better than the Gateman took me back to the gateman and said please his questions are above me take him to Officer in Charge. I was asked to hang on by the gate man who went into the office of the Officer in Charge who happens to be an Assistant Comptroller of Prisons AC Ejenam, a good man and very friendly. He was in charge of Ekwulobia prisons when it started and I met him there more than once with the former first lady of Anambra state, Her Excellency , Margaret Peter Obi.
He wasted time and came back asking that the Secretary or whatever name he called her wanted to see me first as she wants to find out why I came before seeing the Officer in Charge. I went in thinking that was the new rule, having visited the prison severally without being subjected to such bunkum. The gate man left. As I was busy telling her my questions and she was busy writing with bad English , suggestive she was not getting all I was telling her, even spelt my good name wrongly.
I overheard a yell from inner cubicle on who I was and what on earth I was doing there overseeing the prison compound. I was ordered to leave the compound. I moved out in obedient before complaining and then returned to explain to the man myself. I was about to explain myself and the so called powerful woman could not even say a word and rather than explain to her boss the position, she started pushing me to leave as her Oga has asked me out. I insisted on seeing the Oga , so that if he yells again to me I will leave satisfying my conscience of fair hearing but the aides to the Oga mobilized and started beating me.
I was asking them to stop and listen to me first that the only ma n who has the right to ask me out now was their Oga as I have entered but my plea was pouring water on stone. They pushed me out and never allowed me. I resigned to fate but tried to collect my phone and more venom were poured on me as if I committed any offence. And somebody queried me if it was at police station I will still stay to explain myself when Commissioner or his Deputies or Assistants asked me out? They threatened to call police to arrest me. Suddenly, the something in a name got aroused and I decided to fight them if any of them touches me again even with their gun since I told our newspapers state office Admin and others I was headed for the prison in case anything funny happens. I challenged them to touch me again and insisted I won’t go again until I was arrested. And had any touched me, he would have been in the hospital bed before I was then taken too to the same hospital. All my hairs were at erect and my eyes flapping like a breast of an enraged dog. Nobody came near again but stood at a distance indirectly seeking peace, by blaming me for still insisting to see Oga as he has asked me out.
Suddenly one woman appeared, (name withheld by us) the salute she received showed she was of high ranking and her statements later proved she knows her mettle. She first gave me a greeting melting my stance to knock down whoever comes first and smiled at me like a mother, then went for my Identification, touched it, read it and asked me to calm down. She went in and shortly I was asked to come in by the same reckless secretary or so I thought, I refused and insisted anybody who wants to see me must come outside there. The prison officials still wondering what next to do with this ‘recalcitrant’ person as I was convinced almost all of them could not say who I was. They shouted , Officer in charge is calling you, I smiled and spoke in my mind come and lift me here now. Meanwhile I was busy peeping at the inmates who came back with loads of firewood and others looking malnourished, haggard and wretched.
Then I heard my name and I turned saw a beckoning and went in that direction, face to face with the Officer in Charge, he apologized for his officers unruly behaviour and accepted responsibility for their actions. That was too much for me and I accepted his apology and forgave him and his officials. He does not know who I was but overheard his secretary reply to my question and that picked his imagination on what my mission was in asking such questions. He branded me enemy of the prison. He was right because minus he was eavesdropping he wouldn’t know what I came for and what transpired assuming I was discharged at that point. I came to see the officer in charge not secretary or whatever she is called. And I should be allowed to see him, who may now direct me to the state comptroller, if he is not competent to speak.
He was truly sorry for the situation unlike police that would play the Ostrich and stood his men against the reality of facts. He offered me Malt and we resolved and even understood his grievances. He taught somebody is out to malign the good work he is doing at Awka prison to the extent of getting some inmates graduate in Open University because its center exists in Awka prison among other feats. The Awka prison have inmates who are artisans with different skills leant in the prison as entrepreneurs visit to teach them trade and education as well as their religious needs. He reacted because he works in a security area. I told him that had it been I was allowed to see him and he quietly declined press statement and directs me to his superior it would have been wonderful and nobody would know why I came, he understood that.
That seals it but, I am recounting it to avoid future occurrence and based on the most humiliating experience in my 15 years working experience by any high ranking official who is the Comptroller of Prisons in Anambra state , Mr Anthony Ubabuike, I can take it from recruits and low ranking officials not from a Chief Executive Officer or his representative.
At Comptroller’s Office
His face was pale with anger on what this ‘’small boy’’ wanted. He returned my greeting in a hidden tone struggling not to betray his emotions. Mr Anthony Ubabuike was graceful in appearance but was not happy with questions I was coming to his office with forgetting he first gave opportunity to be visited by virtue of his position. He sat like a British crowned warrant chief in poise intimidating enough to put this correspondent off beat and swallow his mission but having seen the bad, the good and the ugly, I fired my question but not first watering the ground on my encounter at his prison yard and why I held my ‘Malt’ kola just like that abandoning even my car and joined public transport.
His showed some betrayed consolation, informing this correspondent that Nigerian Prisons are not known for that but I informed him I have forgiven them and the officer in charge has warned them and apologized on their behalf which is okay by me as I am serving humanity.
Back to my questions on why he was not doing anything about smuggling in of Indian hemp and other drugs to inmates, the smuggling in of ladies and issues of bribery and corruption by officials in the way of high extortion and the betrayed calm and poised stance gave way to his true identity.
Ubabuike reminded this correspondent that he can sue and the Prisons officials can sue if anything is written and that he is not in the liberty to answer any of my questions. He insisted they have a national PRO at Abuja describing where their office is located and that I should go there for whatever interview or questions I had wanted. He said there is equally the Comptroller General of Prisons and the Chairman of Board chaired by the Minister for my questions but I should leave his office as I had no appointment and no letter inviting me for the chat.
He queried to know how I got his number and who was feeding me with the allegations but later changed his mind when I informed him that his number is a public thing when he accepted to be comptroller in Anambra state and I have no liberty to start telling him who gave me what information and where. He should calm down and look dispassionately on the issues I raised to know what he has been able to do and ones that were not true but he kept on reminding me for 11 times that he was courtesy enough to allow me in and to even listen to me nonsense.
‘’Please go and write a letter of request for interview and send to the Headquarters because you are not interviewing me. We don’t react to allegations but we speak on facts. I do you know all these.....because be read to answer us in court, it is actionable you know. All these allegations are not obtainable in prisons I superintend. We don’t have anything of such.........’’, by the time he was saying these words he has lost the initial queen’s English posture he was having when this correspondent entered and next I heard was ‘’sorry I am not granting you an interview ‘’and he moved away from where he kept me to his Chief Executive’s seat, ignoring my presence and as a correct ‘Nwafor’ I thanked him and went away before another mass beating will start. But I would have asked him another question then to see more of his real character than the pretence I witnessed. I was surprised his ordeal or whatever he was, as he took me from down stairs to his office up, was sitting with us and interfering in an interview I wanted to have by asking whether I was interviewing already without previous appointment for the interview. The Comptroller allowed him and even amplified that. What a comptroller? The worse could have happened to me with the armed men around him was he not in the know of my already battered situation.
Allegations and stand by Human Right Group
For an Onitsha based Human Rights Lawyer, Barr Jezie Ekejiuba and President, Voters Rights International, he decried the treatment given to prison inmates and relatives in Anambra state.
Ekejiuba said: ‘’Section 36 of the Nigerian constitution says every person is presumed innocent until proved otherwise but many inmates of Nigerian Prison here in Anambra state have been languishing in prison jail without trail and majority of them without any criminal charge existing anywhere. All these inmates are branded awaiting trial inmates and criminal suspects and detained under cruel conditions in the congested and unhygienic prison yard. This is a clear violation of their fundamental rights to fair hearing, personal liberty and dignity of human person under Chapter IV of the Nigerian constitution.
‘’ Another area of violation of the human rights of the inmates in Anambra state is denial of their rights to life. This comes in the form of lack of medical care , starvation as a result of lack of food which most times result in their man- made deaths. They are also denied of voting rights. The rights to privacy of many female inmates are trampled upon because many have been sexually assaulted and raped by prison officers who manipulate the women in the prison custody . The prison officers most times promise the female inmates freedom.
‘’I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to bring change and redress these acts of violations.
‘’Based on the scope of fundamental rights in Chapter IV of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and anything outside that are not fundamental Human Rights like those issues of extortion and smuggling of Indian hemp.
But, the Campaign for Democracy in South East zone was more specific by calling on the Comptroller of Prisons to redeploy the comptroller in Anambra state, Mr Anthony Ubabuike for encouraging corruption and all kinds of illegality in prisons in Anambra state especially Onitsha prisons where public extortion by prison officials have been legalized.
Leadership of CD in South East led by Comrade Uzor Dede Uzor in a statement to The Authority accused Ubabuike of incapable of holding the esteemed office as his aloof stance to his duties have not helped matters in Anambra prisons.
Uzor said Ubabuike is supposed to be in charge of prisons in Sokoto or Zamfara states where his non-committal attitude and hypocritical posture would be appreciated rather than in the South-East where he should be at his best to attend to the demands his kiths and kins on prison conditions. They decried a situation he would always refer members of the public especially non-governmental organizations, Civil Society Groups, Human Rights groups and journalists to Abuja headquarters of Nigerian prisons for verifications, complaints and confirmations of situations when he is in charge of Anambra state.
CD Boss in South East wondered why his colleagues in NDLEA, DSS, Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army as well as NSCDC among others should be begging journalists and Human Rights to come in for clarifications and information but he behaves like a peacock for finding himself opportune to be in the exalted office in Igbo land.
CD wondered if a journalist in Anambra or Human Rights and Civil Society Groups in Anambra could not verify allegations against the Prisons in Anambra from his office but Abuja what else is he doing in Anambra state as head of the federal government outfit. CD pointed out that the Anambra prison comptroller should even be able to decentralize authority for his men in charge of the prisons at Onitsha, Ekwulobia and Awka as well as Nnewi to speak in defense of the Federal Government establishment rather than allow rumours and speculations to grow rife.
Part of the statement read: ‘’The Comptroller of Prison in Anambra state has no duties again to perform since he encourages extortion, starvation of prison inmates, smuggling in of Indian Hemps and marijuana, smuggling of women for high ranking inmates sexual satisfaction, sexual harassment and abuse including rape, official bribery and corruption and packing home food meant for inmates.
‘’The officials in Anambra prisons starting from Awka to Onitsha , Ekwulobia and recently Nnewi are in that habit and these are verifiable anytime they go to the market to buy food stuff and when visitors bring commodities in bulk, they tend to share some of it and take them home whereas encouraging begging and even servitude for inmates.
‘’There is corruption in all the prison yards and the so called person in charge of prisons would be in Awka sitting idle in office all day, no surprise visits, no investigation and no proactive strategies even when such issues are brought to his office , he becomes more Catholic than the Pope in his attitude. Why would he be arrogant and pompous to answer questions about his office and even direct people to go to Abuja for confirmation of incidents happening here. Does it not occur to him that journalists and Civil Society groups are his friends and he should get information and solutions to some activities happening around his establishment from them. For clarifying such ugly reports could make the investigator alert the Head to act or to be spurred into action and serve the society better. His type may be arranging for the beating of journalists in his office because he acts with impunity based on our investigations. Since he came few months back he has not done anything to register his presence for his men to sit up but sits in Awka as the Lord of Mayor. His incompetence is robbing on the services of the Nigerian Prison in Anambra state and that should stop.
‘’Corruption is high and suspects are treated as convicts in the four prisons under Ubabuike. Prison is supposed to be rehabilitation center but it is now in Anambra a regrouping ground for criminals as the man at the Head of the Nigerian Prison is non-challant of his duties. I agree some things happened before his coming but it has worsened. There is a particular candidate (name withheld by us) and 2 others involved in killing of a Business man in Onitsha they were later arrested and went to prison but rather than got rehabilitated, they came out and started more kidnapping and armed robbery ...........
‘’The daily meal of the inmates has been increased from N100 to N200 which is an outright human rights violations because that is not enough even to feed a baby. What it means is that the person would look for alternative to his or her daily meal. In Nigeria inmates don’t have access to telephones and internet facilities but in South Africa we saw Okah answering calls and browsing the net. Here for you to do that you must bribe your way through. The inmates should have access to communicate.
On the ills in the Anambra state prions, CD states: ‘’Homosexuality and Lesbianism is high in the prisons in Anambra. It is rampant and aside that prison officials impregnate the female inmates and there is overcrowding as a prison room for 5 inmates now accommodate 80 people. This yields to spread of diseases and ill health of inmates yet no medical care because the entire prison in Anambra has one medical doctor, one nurse and one pharmacy.
‘’In prisons in Anambra state sexual violations happen because I know a lady who went to prison without a baby but came out with three babies. There is sexual molestation. CD has been told that women were brought in at the middle of night for privileged inmates to satisfy their sexual urge and we wonder why anybody should bring in girls for inmates and because no precaution is taken the person may be carrier and the inmate or the girl contaminates himself or herself depending. We have heard several cases of suspects brought to court and the case file disappears meaning his or her term is indefinite. Why would such be happening? We need a total revolution in Nigerian prisons not only Anambra state Prisons.
‘’We are calling for a high powered investigation into these allegations in Anambra state Prisons as they are weighty and should not be wished away. The outcome of the investigation should be implemented. The issue of congestion is overbearing as Onitsha, Awka, Ekwulobia even Nnewi of yesterday is overcrowded and congested. That has been worsened by the industrial action by judicial workers.
‘’We want the leadership of prisons in Anambra to be changed and sent to Zamfara or Sokoto even Borno so they would understand what it means for people to be serving their people. Most of them in charge are from Igbo land but have no courtesy and mannerism expected from people in such office. The Head of Nigerian Prisons in Anambra is rash and lacks requisite managerial acumen expected of a high ranking officer.
‘’He is at Awka and does not even know what happens at Awka prisons not to talk of Onitsha, Nnewi or Ekwulobia and when one brings that to his knowledge he becomes ‘’a peacock’ and brash, even at the point of walking out a seasoned journalist against all courtesies, demanding to know how he got his number and the information he is requesting clarifications for, yet he did not attend to him.
‘’People pay money daily to see their relatives who are inmates in all the prison in Anambra and I was forced to part with my money to see an inmate. If the comptroller at Awka knows his duties why should that be on and he stays aloof? Does it mean he has share? The extortion starts from the gate to the point you will discuss with the inmate. To see your relative, you must at least spend N1,000 and multiply N1000 a day by say at least 500 inmates across the state to be visited by their relatives by 31 days in a month and 366 days. That is to say N500,000 multiply by 31 days then you get the figure at the end of the year being extorted from relatives of inmates every year. This is minimum accrual.
‘’I suspect the Ubabuike man gets returns? An official of the prison told me point blank that they use such money they collect to repair their generator, so what it means is that such illegal extortions are legal in the prison under Ubabuike’s watch? They made it a law to pay? And it is not at only the gate but four points, you settle them at gate, then at counter where you drop your phone, at inner gate and before you discuss with your guest. At four points you pay including where you write your name under the Mango tree. Indian hemps are smuggled into the prison.
‘’CD and other 7 Human Rights Groups as well as traders are calling for a thorough investigation into the happenings at Anambra prisons because the inmates may molest you as I speak to collect money from you. Go there and see things for yourself.
Shortage of Health personnel hits Anambra Prisons
Health is life and healthy environment is for a better life. Prison environment is not always clean and healthy but following reforms ongoing things may soon be different even though over population is still a threat to Nigerian prisons sequel to awaiting trial inmates.
In Anambra state , there are four prisons. The first One is at Onitsha the commercial nerve center, the second one is at Awka, the state capital, the third one at Ekwulobia, emerging business center and the last at Nnewi the industrial zone known as Japan of Africa.
Skin infections and infestations are common in a prison environment because it is in dynamic equilibrium with the larger society and serves as a reservoir of infections which can spread to the larger society. Infectious disease rate is high in prison and may be adjudged to be Dermatophytes accounts for 64%, pityriasis versicolor 27%, bacterial infections 3.4%, and others 5.6% varying from one prison to the other.
This prevalence may be caused by the frequency of soap usage and accommodation arrangement.
The Authority on Saturday investigations revealed that the Nigerian Prison Onitsha is housing over 1,518 inmates as against its capacity for 326, though Governor Willie Obiano said: “The other day, I visited the Onitsha Prisons, out of 1,400 inmates, 720 persons were under awaiting trial. This is unacceptable to this government. We must do something to ensure that justice is done to everybody.”
Ekwulobia prison has 134 inmates, even when it was built to accommodate 85 inmates, plus the controversial 47 Boko Haram prisoners that were brought to Ekwulobia Prison in the dead of the night of Sunday, June 28, 2015 amidst tight security.
Nnewi prison as it were has 187 inmates but 84 have been granted bail recently making it now a total of 103 inmates. The prison is one of the 47 prisons conceived by the former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari administration in 1981 and has the capacity to harbour 160 inmates in modern facilities.
Awka prison has 413 inmates with only 43 convicts while others are awaiting trials.
The irony of the entire situation is that these over 1,800 inmates across Anambra state prisons, there is only one medical doctor attending to them.
He is Deputy Comptroller of Prison, DSP Dr Uzor who according to investigation out of pity uses one other medical doctor in his employ at his clinic Madonna Hospital Awka at no cost to attend to the inmates. He is the prison medical doctor and had no assistant whatsoever even corps member, and has nobody to take over from him as he is aging and probably on his retirement line up.
Again there are no supporting staff nurses as only one nurse ACP Obukwelu EN and one Pharmacist CSP Okeke Anthony are available. The nurse is getting old and no replacement or assistant from her complaints it is imperative she gets an assistant.
Now the inmates may be having it easy health wise because of rainy season aside cold and catarrh, but soon the dry season would set in and all kinds of health hazards would start to manifest especially skin diseases if not epidemics because most times their situation are not hygienic and may cause health hazard minor or major.
Efforts to get the Public Relations Officer Mr Ekemezie or the Comptroller of Prisons CP Anthony Ubaike was not successful though Ubaike was initially excited by the angle our reporter was coming from as it was never asked by other reporters but appealed to meet this reporter face to face in the office unfortunately his attitude during a face to face encounter was nothing to write home about.
However, the former Assistant Controller of Prisons at Nigerian Prisons Amawbia, Mr. Chris Akabueze, recently raised alarm over conditions of the prison when wife of Anambra state Governor, Chief Mrs Ebele Obiano visited.
He said:“You can’t believe that some have not eaten because they are waiting for your food. We are happy that you came and would use this opportunity to request your assistant with our needs, such as the repair of our water pumping machine, payment of fees for inmates due for junior WAEC exams’’.
At Onitsha Prison, the Assistant Controller of Prisons, Mr. Felix Ezengwo, expressed gratitude to Mrs. Obiano for the love showered on the inmates and urged her not to relent as God would continue to bless the first family.
The Assistant Controller of Prisons in-charge of Nnewi Prison, Mr Obizue N. Valins, said the total number of the inmates in the prison was 103, having in August 2014 received a total number of 187 inmates and was able to facilitate the bail and release of about 84 of them, which was “made possible through the assistance of good-spirited individuals, the church and groups’’.
Chief Judge of Anambra state, Justice Peter Umeadi, said the judiciary in the state had concluded arrangements to review High Court and Magistrate Court laws in the state for more effective justice dispensation.
He regretted the current industrial action of judiciary workers in the state, saying the strike was avoidable.
Obiano donated a bus for the staff and Black Maria for the movement of inmates to prisons and for medical attention.
During a recent visit by Mr Godwin Ezeemo to mark his 59th birthday anniversary with the inmates, a self-acclaimed General Provost of the inmates identified hunger and starvation as one of their major problems.
The inmates also listed lack of electricity supply, non-functional water bore-hole, lack of accommodation, and medical facilities as some of their problems, adding that some of them die for lack of proper care.
They regretted that most of the inmates were either jailed for an offence they did not know anything about or were thrown into prison because they had nobody or money to speak for them in minor counts. While thanking Ezeemo for choosing the prison yard as venue for his birthday, they added that people like him deserve to be at the helm of government.
Written by ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU, for Saturday Authority newspaper , others Tuesday November 17th , 2015.
Anambra Prisons , Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha and Ekwulobia rot as Indian hemp, women are smuggled in for inmates ; 5,000 inmates access only one doctor, one nurse and one pharmacist
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Monday, March 14, 2016
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